Bible Strands
1 Thessalonians 2:14
For you, brothers, became imitators of the churches of God in Judea that are in Christ Jesus. You suffered from your own countrymen the very things they suffered from the Jews,
Berean Standard Bible
Follow its threads on the canvas →
Study note
Setting — Paul addresses the Thessalonian believers as brothers, writing immediately after thanking God for their acceptance of his gospel and directly before condemning those who opposed the apostles. He speaks to a community that has just received his message as divine rather than human.
The words — μιμηταὶ (mimētai) means "imitators" and ἐγενὴθητε (egenēthēte) means "became." These terms establish the Thessalonians as active copies of earlier Christian communities rather than passive recipients.
The thread — The text explicitly links the Thessalonians' trials to the persecution endured by the Judean churches in 1 Thessalonians 3:4 and Hebrews 10:33. These passages record the same structural pattern of believers sharing the opposition faced by earlier Christian groups.
Why it lands — The text states that receiving God's word directly triggers persecution from local authorities. It requires readers to accept opposition as the expected outcome of faithfulness, not a sign of divine abandonment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
Cross-references
- 1 Thessalonians 3:4 Indeed, when we were with you, we kept warning you that we would suffer persecution; and as you know, it has come to pass.
- Hebrews 10:33 Sometimes you were publicly exposed to ridicule and persecution; at other times you were partners with those who were so treated.
- Hebrews 5:7 During the days of Jesus’ earthly life, He offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the One who could save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverence.
- 2 Thessalonians 1:4 That is why we boast among God’s churches about your perseverance and faith in the face of all the persecution and affliction you are enduring.
- 2 Corinthians 8:1 Now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the churches of Macedonia.
- Galatians 1:22 I was personally unknown, however, to the churches of Judea that are in Christ.
- Acts 12:1 About that time, King Herod reached out to harm some who belonged to the church.
- 1 Corinthians 7:17 Regardless, each one should lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him and to which God has called him. This is what I prescribe in all the churches.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord when you welcomed the message with the joy of the Holy Spirit, in spite of your great suffering.
- Acts 8:1 And Saul was there, giving approval to Stephen’s death. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria.